ECP tells PTI to include its members involved in Ali Haider Gillani video

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday told the ruling party to nominate its own members who were part of the Ali Haider Gillani video in the petition seeking former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani’s disqualification.

A four-member bench was hearing a PTI petition that sought the disqualification of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani. The ruling party was represented by Barrister Ali Zafar, who argued that the Opposition had used unfair means to win the Islamabad seat against its candidate Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

Shaikh had lost to Gillani when the former prime minister secured 169 votes against the minister who polled 164 votes. Six votes were rejected while one was not polled.

“Votes were being bought with money and party tickets before the elections took place,” claimed the PTI lawyer. “In the video from March 2, the candidate’s son, Ali Haider Gillani, can be allegedly seen offering bribes to buy votes.”

“Didn’t you think it necessary to make those who can be seen in the video (PTI lawmakers) parties to the case as well?” asked ECP chief Qureshi, stating that the commission does not recognise these members by face.

“The persons in the video should not be made parties to the case,” answered the PTI lawyer.

“You’re saying these people took bribes. Their affidavits should have been attached with the petition by now,” responded the ECP probe head, adding that those involved in the video scandal should have issued statements by now to confirm that they were indeed offered bribes.

“The one who offered the bribe and the ones who received them, both are involved in this matter. We can’t make only the one who offered the bribe a party to the case,” he said.

The ECP instructed the PTI lawyer to file the petition again and include the names of its members who can be heard in the video.